So I asked for your stories, and already the mail is coming in. Today, the story of a mother who risked her life because she doesn't have insurance, followed by my commentary. Alisa's story:
Spike,
While mine is not nearly as offensive as so many of the health insurance stories out there, mine is a drop to add to the bucket. I'm a freelance writer/editor and have opted out of private insurance to instead pay for my children's food and rent. A few months ago I was eating a romantic shrimp dinner with my sweetheart and suddenly had my throat swell closed. Having food allergies already, this wasn't a big surprise, but was unexpected nonetheless as I had not ever had a reaction to shrimp. Instead of rushing to the emergency room, as most normal people would do, I stood in the kitchen telling my guy that I thought I was having a potentially serious food allergy. I decided to down some of my sons' children's Benadryl (the only thing we had on hand) and see what happened. Luckily, after about 20 minutes, my throat began to unswell. In retrospect, I realized that deciding between an outrageously expensive emergency room visit and living was, well, ridiculous. I've since gained access to a totally illegal EpiPen from a relative who had an extra on hand. It continues to amaze me every day that the "progressive" country in which I live considers life and death emergencies a luxury of the rich or well-employed.
Good luck to you on this latest venture of yours. I hope it has the expected effect of getting the word out that we, as a country, are continuing in the wrong direction.
Alisa
Alisa's story called to mind a couple of thoughts. It reminded me that I'm allergic to bees, though I'm not sure how allergic. The last time I got stung, about seven years ago, my arm blew up like a balloon. This has left me wondering, if I get stung again, if it will kill me. I used to carry benadryl around all the time, but then a nurse told me that if I'm deathly allergic, that's not going to do jack, and I have about ten minutes to get to ER (and the rest of my life to pay for it). I perform a lot of outdoor weddings and I like to (semi) joke with the attendants that, should I be stung during a ceremony, they better be prepared to do a ballpoint pen tracheotomy. I can't access an EpiPen legally-- no insurance, can't afford the expense of tests to determine my allergy level. So I just hope for the best.
I'm glad Alisa tracked down an EpiPen. For my part, I'm a fan of giving and receiving sundry other pharmaceuticals to folks. I've squirreled away and assload of Vicodin over the years, just in case I can't go for medical attention the next time I'm in agony. I don't love the Vicodin-- sure, it works, but it also makes me paranoid and constipated, to the point that I become highly suspicious of my own asshole. But I've got some here. I've also got some sleeping pills from various sources, which I acquired during sundry anxiety-riddled times in my life, like during my last divorce.
Speaking of anxiety, I have yet to receive the "detailed letter" from BCBS telling me why I was rejected for a group plan. I'm wondering if it was because I disclosed the fact I went to therapy? I downplayed this therapy stuff, which really pissed me off. I wanted to say, when the woman on the phone asked for details, "YES! I went to therapy! It was GREAT! You should try it! We all need therapy!" But I know that the insurance companies don't look at the big picture and see that the treatment we get can lead to better health down the road-- of which I am proof positive: It's been ages since I've had an anxiety attack or bout of serious depression, both of which used to be part of my regular internal landscape. Oh no, they just put the information in their How Can We Fuck This Potential Client Over spreadsheet, and then either flat out reject you or offer a plan that in no way will cover the things we most need covered.
Please send your stories to spikegillespie@gmail.com. Do you have a stash of illegal legal drugs? Tell me about it. Have you removed yours or anyone else's appendix at home on the kitchen table? I want to know.
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